The Catalina Foothills is an upscale community nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson AZ. The Catalina Foothills community was created in 1928 when John Murphy purchased 7,000 acres of land north of River Road and between Oracle Rd. and Sabino Canyon. Murphy envisioned a unique community where the pristine Sonoran Desert landscape and the sweeping Catalina Mountain views were preserved. To accomplish this goal, the Catalina Foothills neighborhoods were designed with one story homes placed on large lots with an emphasis on maintaining maximum privacy. Homes in the Catalina Foothills have the highest average price in the greater Tucson metropolitan area of about $500,000 for a single family home.
Today, the Catalina Foothills is an affluent, thriving community of about 50,000 people and home to:
La Encantada: Shop your heart away at La Encantada, a Spanish style outdoor upscale shopping plaza in the heart of Catalina Foothills. Some of the anchor stores include Apple, Coach, AJ’s, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Lush, Michael Kors, Tiffany & Co., among many others. La Ecantada is also home to many popular Catalina Foothills restaurants including Blanco Tacos and Tequila, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, North, RA Sushi Bar, North Italia. After dinner, enjoy a delicious gelato at Frost, a Tucson favorite.
St. Phillip’s Plaza: As you take a stroll around the locally owned St. Phillip’s Plaza, it’s easy to see why it’s a Tucson favorite. The plaza is known for the beauty of its fountains, tile art, rose gardens. The plaza offers boutique shopping, galleries, professional offices, and restaurants guaranteed to give you an elegant shopping and dining experience. The plaza additionally hosts a farmer’s market and jazz concerts. Many of the restaurants at the St. Phillip’s Plaza are well-known as a favorite among the Tucson community. These restaurants include the Amalour Revival Lounge, Reforma Cocina Y Cantina, Scordato’s Pizzeria, and Union Public House.
Casas Adobes: The charming Casas Adobes Plaza is home to many stylish shops, galleries, restaurants, and personal services. Enjoy a night out at one of the many delicious restaurants including Wildflower, Pei Wei, Sauce, or Bluefin Seafood Bistro. Among the elegant restaurants the Casas Adobes Plaza provides a Whole Foods Market and Starbucks. Casas Adobes often hosts many community events and special promotions in the elegant courtyard.
Sabino Canyon: Whether you are an avid hiker or just a beginner, Sabino Canyon trails are guaranteed to make you have a great hiking experience. Wind through the desert canyon enveloped by natural desert landscape and wildlife. If you want to skip the hiking, take a Sabino Canyon tram tour which offers a narrated educational 45-minute, 3.8 mile tour into the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Finger Rock: Infamous around Tucson, one of the most distinctive landmarks as you look toward the Santa Catalina Mountains resembles a closed hand with the index finger extended to make a #1 sign. This is Finger Rock. The trails progress from easy to more difficult terrain, allowing hikers the opportunity to tailor their hike to fit the amount of effort they want to expend. Along the trails are gorgeous overlooks and picnic spots for the family.
Pima Canyon: Pima Canyon trail offers numerous different hiking opportunities. Pima Canyon is enclosed in the Wilderness and Management area, resulting in Pima Canyon to be a people-only trail. Due to its convenience and spectacular views, Pima Canyon trail is popular year-round.
Rillito River Park: The Rillito River Park runs all the way from I-10 to Craycroft on the banks of the Rillito River. Bring your family, friends, or dog and walk along the miles-long river walk. There is plenty of drinking water, equestrian access, exercise stations, and restrooms.
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park: Open from 7am to 10 pm, the Brandi Fenton Park has 2 covered basketball courts, a dog park, drinking water, equestrian arenas, picnic tables, a playground, restrooms, soccer fields, a walking path, a splash pad, and grills available for public use.
Catalina Foothills School District 16: The Catalina Foothills School District serves more than 5,200 students among the eight schools that make up CFSD. The Catalina Foothills School District has a reputation for excellence and exemplary academic standards. The CFSD mission is to ensure each student achieves intellectual and personal excellence, and is well prepared for college and career pathways. The Catalina Foothills School District includes Canyon View Elementary, Manzanita Elementary, Sunrise Drive Elementary, Ventana Vista Elementary, Esperero Canyon Middle School, Orange Grove Middle School, and Catalina Foothills High School.
Vivace: Vivace was established in 1993 by restaurateur Daniel Scordato. Vivace’s is well-known for its excellent service and delicious northern Italian cuisine, along with high quality ingredients they use for every dish. Located on Campbell and Skyline, this to-die-for Italian Restaurant is the perfect place for date night, or a birthday celebration.
Flemings: Flemings is an upscale unique steakhouse whose emphasis is on generous hospitality, an inviting atmosphere, and delicious food. Flemings is known for their aged USDA prime beef available both wet- and dry-aged and broiled at 1,600 degrees or iron-crusted. Additionally, Flemings is acknowledged for their extensive award-winning top-rated 100-wine collection, gathered from around the world. Fleming’s is located on Campbell and Skyline.
Union Public House: Located in the gorgeous St. Phillips Plaza, The Union Public House serves American fare all made from scratch from fresh, local, sustainable ingredients. Winner of Tucson’s Best Happy Hour, The Union Public House is dedicated to serving delicious uncompromising quality food in a stylish atmosphere. The Union makes handcrafted cocktails, has 30 beers on tap, and a TV for sports programming to draw in late night crowds. The Union Public House serves from brunch to dinner.
Cocina Y Cantina: Located in St. Phillips plaza, Cocina Y Cantina serves fresh central Mexican Cuisine made in house daily. Cocina Y Cantina pride themselves in their homemade masa, which is used to make every corn tortilla and chips. The restaurant has a fabulous happy hour, and great inviting atmosphere.
Frost: Inspired by a gelateria in Rome, Frost makes delicious fresh gelato daily in store with ingredients (with the exception of milk and sugar) straight from Italy.
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort offers members’ access to 2 heated pools and Jacuzzi and a Lakeside Spa which was rated a Top 100 Resort Spa by the Conde Nast Traveler . There are also four lighted tennis courts, and a nature trail for beautiful Tucson sightseeing. Steps away from the lobby Loews Ventana Canyon Resort offers two Tom-Fazio-designed championship 18-hole golf courses, built to wind through the natural desert with views of the gorgeous Santa Catalina Mountains. Additionally, there is a fitness center with strength and cardio equipment and classes including yoga, cardio tennis, or swim.
The Westin La Paloma : The Westin La Paloma is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. There is plenty for members to do, including taking advantage of any of the three award-winning Tucson golf courses. The Hill, Canyon, or Ridge courses comprise of 27-holes and were designed by Jack Nicklaus. Each offer gorgeous views of the natural Tucson landscape and native vegetation. At the Westin La Paloma is the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, where you can get a relaxing spa or salon treatment. Lift weights or cardio train at the Westin Workout Fitness Center which is filled with strength and cardio equipment. The Fitness Center also offers workout classes in a specifically designed fitness room.
Skyline Country Club: The Skyline Country Club mission is to help you pursue your passion for tennis, swimming, fitness, or golf. At the Skyline Country Club is a par 71 golf course with panoramic views of Tucson and Sonoran Desert. Additionally the club has a fitness room with extensive cardio equipment and free weights. There are fitness classes offered for those who like to work out in a group setting. Skyline Country Club makes it easy to get to know others with similar interests by offering many social and special interest clubs.